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Migrant Workers and Physical Health: An Umbrella Review

Author

Listed:
  • Nicola Mucci

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Veronica Traversini

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Gabriele Giorgi

    (Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 190 Via degli Aldobrandeschi, I-00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Giacomo Garzaro

    (Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 94 Piazza Polonia, I-10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Javier Fiz-Perez

    (Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 190 Via degli Aldobrandeschi, I-00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Marcello Campagna

    (Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, SS 554 bivio Sestu, I-09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy)

  • Venerando Rapisarda

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 89 Via Santa Sofia, I-95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Eleonora Tommasi

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Manfredi Montalti

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Giulio Arcangeli

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Migrants are mainly employed in “3D jobs” which are dirty, dangerous, and difficult, are characterized by monotony and intense rhythms, and are found in sectors with higher risks such as construction, heavy industry, and agriculture. The aim of this study is to construct a systematic review in order to identify the main occupational risks and occupational diseases of this category. Research included articles published from 2013 to 2018 on major online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus), which were obtained using a combination of keywords (migrant workers, expatriates, physical health, diseases, illnesses, travel, travelers, work, and occupational medicine). The online search included 1109 references. We excluded 977 studies because they were unrelated to physical health and another 64 due to duplication. There were 68 articles which were analyzed, including six reviews and 62 original articles. The main risks which emerged are developing infectious diseases, metabolic cardiovascular diseases and manifesting a lower quality of life, in particular due to difficulties in accessing local health services. It will be crucial to implement the role of occupational medicine in order to introduce multilevel interventions designed to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, and to promote healthier working environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Mucci & Veronica Traversini & Gabriele Giorgi & Giacomo Garzaro & Javier Fiz-Perez & Marcello Campagna & Venerando Rapisarda & Eleonora Tommasi & Manfredi Montalti & Giulio Arcangeli, 2019. "Migrant Workers and Physical Health: An Umbrella Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-22, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:232-:d:194978
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Bach Xuan Tran & Tracy Vo & Anh Kim Dang & Quang Nhat Nguyen & Giang Thu Vu & Linh Gia Vu & Khanh Nam Do & Carl A. Latkin & Cyrus S.H. Ho & Roger C.M. Ho, 2019. "Characterizing Unsafe Sexual Behavior among Factory Workers in the Context of Rapid Industrialization in Northern Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Pramod R. Regmi & Edwin van Teijlingen & Preeti Mahato & Nirmal Aryal & Navnita Jadhav & Padam Simkhada & Quazi Syed Zahiruddin & Abhay Gaidhane, 2019. "The Health of Nepali Migrants in India: A Qualitative Study of Lifestyles and Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-13, September.
    5. Weiler, Anelyse M. & Caxaj, C. Susana, 2024. "Housing, health equity, and global capitalist power: Migrant farmworkers in Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 354(C).
    6. Dong Wei & Xiaoshu Cao & Miaomiao Wang, 2019. "What Determines the Psychological Well-Being during Commute in Xi’an: The Role of Built Environment, Travel Attitude, and Travel Characteristics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Cengiz Akyildiz & İsmail Ekmekci, 2020. "OHS Problems of Migrants in Turkey and the Order of Importance: Pareto Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-16, September.
    8. Janvier Gasana & Soad Albahar & Mahareb Alkhalidi & Qout Al-Mekhled & Darline El Reda & Marwan Al-Sharbati, 2022. "Risky Roads in Kuwait: An Uneven Toll on Migrant Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, August.
    9. Anca Draghici & Salih Dursun & Oğuz Bașol & Maria Elena Boatca & Alin Gaureanu, 2022. "The Mediating Role of Safety Climate in the Relationship between Transformational Safety Leadership and Safe Behavior—The Case of Two Companies in Turkey and Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
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